Event Photography Tips and Tricks (6 Shot Types)

Below is a List of your Main Shot Types when Shooting an Event

Establishing shots:

You do not need many of these. A few wide shots are essential to give a sense of place and establish scale at an event. I will typically shoot these at 17mm with my 17-40mm lens. I try to get a shot from several different perspectives. Shots like these can be each corner of a banquet hall, a wide shot of a crowd from

Close Candids:

These are the shots that really capture the emotional high points of an event. They can be shot in a variety of ways, but usually with a telephoto lens and a shallow depth of field in order to focus the viewers reaction on the emotion of the shot.

Candid Interactions:

Similar to close candids, candid interactions but provide context to the moment you are highlighting. In other words you can see the person or persons the subject is interacting with. You will typically want to stop down your aperture a bit for these to allow each of your subjects to be in focus.

Posed Photos:

Sometimes you will shoot posed portraits of an individual, but most of the time posed portraits are of groups of two or more. These are simple to do. Anytime you see a small group conversing, approach them with a smile and simply ask, “hey can I get a shot of you guys?” These should be shot at narrow enough apertures to capture everyone in focus. F2.8 or lower can work depending on distance, focal length, and how similarly distanced they are to you, but a rule of thumb I use is to shoot at f4 or higher to capture groups of three or more. I usually do not feel the need to go any higher unless the group is somewhat staggered in distance from me.

Portraits

This can be a professional headshot or something more artistic. Once in a while, you may be asked to shoot one of a notable speaker or such. But usually, I’m shooting these for myself. It gives me an opportunity to work more intimately with someone, get creative in a different way than I spend most of my time shooting, and a fun way to build a portfolio.

Detail Shots:

There are many ways to shoot detail shots. I have shot these with a 24-70mm lens, 70-200mm lens, 50mm vintage lenses, 135mm lens and more. These shots will compliment your wider establishing shots to tell a story.

Details matter at an event. Organizers put in a lot of work to produce an event of any size with many details to show for it. When photographing an event put on to showcase a product, the product should be your focus. That said, be sure to get shots of attendees interacting with the product. You should always discuss what your client is looking for, but this will most likely be it.
Although a photographer’s job is in part to capture details, their focus should typically be on capturing defining moments. These moments tell a story and evoke a feeling regardless of the type of event. Every photograph delivered should be about something. It can be about an emotion, someone’s reaction, or an interaction between people, but there should be meaning behind each image. These highlights offer a window into what it was like to be there. Always shoot with intention and never raise your camera to your eye just to snap a shot. Event organizers and marketers do not need thousands of lousy images, they need photographs they can actually use. At private events people want emotion filled images that bring them back to a moment. Capturing the height of an expression can be a ringing reminder of exactly how they felt in that moment.

I have been a professional event photographer and photography teacher for 10 years. Follow the links below to see my work.

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[MikMilman]

Hi Everyone.
Shot types with descriptions are listed in the description!
No affiliate links and I never sell to you. If you would like to support me making content like this, please consider becoming a Patreon!

[AndrewGoodCamera]

Watching this as I wait for an event I'm photographing tonight to start. No joke. //A

[oscararborist]

Oh, my god, you act just like a regular person! What a breath of fresh air! Thanks for being awesome!

[marko]

I was asked to do my first event recently. A large charity event. I watched almost all your videos to try and prep for it. What a massive help it was. So much more to learn but the event went well and I had a blast doing it. About to send my photos to the client. 😬🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻

[drunkestdriver]

Okay so

Event Photography

*Show Scale
*Establishing Shot
*Candid
*Shooting Through Things
*Candid Interaction
*Emotional Interaction
*Posed Images
*Portrait Shots
*Detailed Shot (Item, brand, sponsor, closeup, etc. )

-Capture moments that define the event


Tysm bro

[Unteroffizier]

I couldn't agree less. Most of the shots you mentioned i am taking them, a few tips and pointers i could try on my next photoshoot.

[BryceDechert]

Thanks Mik! As primarily a sports photographer I use a different shot list for each sport I cover - but now just starting out with events. This info helps loads with creating a new shot list for these types of events, appreciate!

[thenexthobby]

Really great reading all the positive comments here from people about to shoot their first event. The video's title (to say nothing of the content!) has clearly hit the mark, sir.

Love the tip about simply asking the people to look at each other to trigger a natural reaction and smiles/laughter. That's a perfect "photo hack" for sure!

[Bbones]

a lot of solid advice here and tips that i'll use at the next event i shoot. thank you so much, subscribed

[isabelle]

I think I've watched this before shooting every event so far. It's so good to have a video to just make sure I haven't forgotten anything.

[chrisklugh]

Another tip: When you ask to take someones picture, take it as they would expect. Standing their looking at the camera. Then show them and say, "Now I want a fun picture" and throw out an idea. Like I want everyone to look as mean as they can. If it works, great, but be fast to get the laughter shots after too. Now you got a small diverse set of pictures from that one moment instead of the classic boring looking into a camera shot everyone else takes.

[karlnewholmphotography]

Thanks for the video Mik. I have an event in a couple of weeks. The point that you make at the beginning about taking a shot that establishes context is something that I had never thought about. I’ll be taking my wide angle lens with me. I have learned something tonight. Greatly appreciated.

[HollywoodConnection_LA]

Excellent advice... I love the trick/tip of asking subjects to look at each other to get those candid shots of them busting out laughing... that is Gold. Thanks...
new sub.

[BGTuyau]

Good selection of shot types and illustration of technique.

[jab]

This is great super helpful Mik. Thanks for sharing the 6 shot types as I always focus only on the candid interactions, posed photos, close candids, and portraits, but for sure not the established and detail shots. What I didn't realize was people want the established and detail shots as well. Anywho thanks Mik!

[KCStorm]

Excellent information. Great help. Thanks so much for sharing. The more I learn about photography, the more excited I get📸. Thank you!!

[bynumoil]

Thank you for this video. Great refresher for a 50th Wedding Anniversary next weekend. Also, I extend my sympathy on the passing of Brixton. My dogs are my family.

[lindaallen]

Thanks Mik for another great video on Event Photography! I love how you include photographs to illustrate each point. As you mentioned in an earlier comment, there is a void out there when it comes to Event Photography. You have become my "unofficial" Event Photography mentor! Keep up the good work.

[florentinoacosta]

All of a sudden there's a lot of event photographer youtuber out there but I still find you the best. I only watch theirs for curiousity.

[boogeyedits]

I love how straight to the point you are and no BS information served in this video. Well done! Great reminders! Tonight, I’m heading off to an event I’m covering. 🤣😁👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼